The Center Connection - February 2020: Coming in from the Cold

Coming in from the Cold We are so pleased to have our dining room fireplace "back online." In December, All Seasons Chimney spent several days thoroughly refurbishing our 70-year-old chimney, and the fire has been dutifully warming hearts and bones ever since. Pictured: a volunteer relaxes after tending the fire. February is a wonderful month because it's when we start tapping our maple trees. Once the sap starts flowing, there will often be a hot outdoor fire burning next to Stone House as we do our weekly boil. Come by and have some warm sap with cream!

Winter's Welcome and Return - Special Promotion! Winter is one of the best times to book a retreat or conference at Stony Point Center!  Right now we are running two winter promotions. If your group has not booked an event with us since 2017, or if you are a new group, find out how you can receive a 20% discount on your next stay.

Recovering the Biblical Tradition of Lament All are invited to experience the 2020 Presbyterian Women's Horizons Bible Study: "Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament," which will be held May 6-8 at Stony Point Center. The gathering will be led by pastor, author and artist P. Lynn Miller. In these times, recovering the tradition of lament may be one of the church's most important gifts to the world. Read more and register   To see more upcoming events at SPC, visit stonypointcenter.org/public-events

A New Worship Every Thursday Evening All are welcome to attend Quaker Worship, every Thursday at 5pm. Location varies; please call ahead. How is Quaker Worship done? We use silence and expectant waiting for a deeper connection with the Divine. Click here to learn more.

Faith in Farming: Interview with Brooklyn Demme Last fall, Stony Point Center hosted a screening of the new documentary "The Place Where People Gather" which witnesses the Ramapough-Lenape Nation's struggle to gather and pray on their own land. For the latest episode of the Faith in Farming Podcast, Amirah talks with the film's director Brooklyn Demme about the film's inspiration and origins. Listen at Faithinfarming.fireside.fm

CLT in Action: Proyecto Faro and International Sanctuary forge links in migrant solidarity organizing In the last few months, CLT members have traveled to the US-Mexico border region twice as part of migrant solidarity organizing initiatives. In January, Amy Dalton traveled with members of Proyecto Faro to learn from the trailblazing community legal clinic Keep Tucson Together. In November, Susan Smith and Rick Ufford-Chase joined with delegates from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Kenya, Eritrea, Ambazonia, Mexico, Canada and the United States for the third annual gathering of the International Sanctuary Declaration (ISD) Campaign. CLT is one of the lead signatories of this initiative, along with Asylum in Church (Germany) and No More Deaths (Arizona). To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/global-sanctuary and read Susan's in-depth article on wagingnonviolence.org.

Sabbatical Year for the Summer Institute After much thought and conversation, the Summer Institute Leadership Team has decided to take a sabbatical year. We will not be offering Farm the Land, Grow the Spirit this year but look forward to welcoming you next summer. During this fallow year, we will be focusing our energy and attention on the life of the Community of Living Traditions and the growth and development of Stony Point Center. Click here to read more about the Summer Institute.

Join our Team!! Job Opportunities At Stony Point Center Are you looking for a place to contribute your skills to building a brave and welcoming space for guests of all traditions, walks of life and faith backgrounds? Stony Point Center is currently seeking a part-time Front Desk Associate and a full-time Director of Administration. View our current openings here.

Farm-to-Table Recipe  Jelly Donuts for Shrove Thursday That's right - Thursday, not Tuesday! Here at SPC we follow the Polish tradition of getting a head start on the pre-Lent indulgence. In Poland, it is traditional to launch a week-long feast by making sweet breads called "Pączki" - meaning "little bud." As one saying puts it: "If you don't eat at least one doughnut on Shrove Thursday, you will no longer be successful in life." This recipe that Donna recently made from NYT Cooking is pretty close to a traditional Pączki recipe. We like to fill the donuts before frying, and we try to use something made from our grounds - like crabapple or hawthorn jelly. If you want to experience the real thing, come visit us on Fat Thursday - February 20, 2020! Ingredients: 1½ cups milk 2¼ tsp active dry yeast 2 eggs 8 Tbsp butter or coconut oil ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp salt 4¼ cups all-purpose flour 2 quarts canola oil (for frying) Method:  * Heat the milk until warm but not hot. Add the yeast and stir lightly. Let sit until the mixture is foamy.  * Add eggs, butter, sugar and salt and beat using an electric mixture. Add half the flour, mix, then add the rest. Transfer to a floured surface and gently knead until smooth.  * Set in a large greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.  * Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll it to ½-inch thickness. Cut the donuts using a drinking glass or similar sized circular cutter. Flour the cutter as you go. Knead scraps together and repeat until you have used all the dough.  * Put the donuts on floured baking sheets so that there is plenty of room between each one. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 45 minutes.  * About 15 minutes before the donuts are done rising, put the oil into a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Heat to 375. Line cooking racks, baking sheets or plates with paper towels.  * Carefully add the donuts to the oil, a few at a time. Let cook for about 45 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to flip. Cook until they are deep golden all over. Place cooked donuts on the prepared plates or racks to cool.  * Roll in a bowl of granulated sugar, and fill with your favorite jelly.  * Serve fresh and warm!   The SPC kitchen serves three meals per day, most days, all year long! Meals are made from scratch with as many farm-fresh ingredients as are currently in season. Learn more about SPC's farm-to-table food service here.

Welcoming Across Boundaries Nurturing Inclusive Communities Cultivating Peace & Justice info@stonypointcenter.org stonypointcenter.org 845-786-5674